Deptford Township, New Jersey
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Deptford Township (commonly known as Deptford) is a township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 26,763.
Deptford was formed as a township dating back to June 1, 1695, at which time it was known as Bethlehem. It was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Over the centuries, portions of the township were taken to create Washington Township (February 17, 1836), Woodbury Borough (March 27, 1854; now Woodbury City), West Deptford Township (March 1, 1871), Wenonah (March 10, 1883), Westville (April 7, 1914) and Woodbury Heights (April 6, 1915).[1]
Deptford is a suburb of Philadelphia, located on the eastern side of the Walt Whitman Bridge, which joins South Jersey with Philadelphia. It is located 10 miles east of Philadelphia and 50 miles west of Atlantic City.
Oak Valley is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Deptford Township.
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[edit] History
Deptford was the site of the first hot air balloon landing in North America, gathering that distinction when Jean-Pierre Blanchard completed his flight to Deptford from Philadelphia in 1793. During his flight, Blanchard carried a personal letter from George Washington to be delivered to the owner of whatever property Blanchard happened to land on, making the flight the first delivery of air mail in the United States as well.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 45.5 km² (17.6 mi²). 45.3 km² (17.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.46%) is water.
Deptford Township borders Mantua Township, Washington Township, Wenonah, West Deptford Township, Westville, Woodbury and Woodbury Heights. Deptford Township also borders Camden County.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 4,507 |
|
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| 1940 | 4,738 | 5.1% | |
| 1950 | 7,304 | 54.2% | |
| 1960 | 17,878 | 144.8% | |
| 1970 | 24,232 | 35.5% | |
| 1980 | 23,473 | -3.1% | |
| 1990 | 24,137 | 2.8% | |
| 2000 | 26,763 | 10.9% | |
| Est. 2005 | 29,744 | [2] | 11.1% |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[3] | |||
As of the census² of 2000, there were 26,763 people, 10,013 households, and 7,079 families residing in the township. The population density was 590.5/km² (1,529.7/mi²). There were 10,647 housing units at an average density of 234.9/km² (608.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 83.44% White, 12.38% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.86% of the population.
There were 10,013 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the township the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $50,147, and the median income for a family was $56,642. Males had a median income of $40,641 versus $28,986 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,477. 5.9% of the population and 4.3% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
Members of the Deptford Township Committee are Mayor Paul Medany, Deputy Mayor Jacquelyn Love, Frank DiMarco, Tom Hufnell, MaryBeth Connelly Monroe, Phillip Schocklin and Lin Tenaglia.[4]
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Deptford Township is in the First Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 5th Legislative District.[5]
New Jersey's First Congressional District, covering portions of Burlington County, Camden County and Gloucester County, is represented by Rob Andrews (D, Haddon Heights). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
The 5th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Wayne R. Bryant (D, Camden) and in the Assembly by Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D, Camden) and Joseph J. Roberts (D, Brooklawn). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).
Gloucester County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Gloucester County's Freeholders are: Stephen M. Sweeney (Freeholder Director), Robert M. Damminger (Deputy Freeholder Director), Joseph A. Brigandi, Jr., William Krebs, Frank J. DiMarco, Helene M. Reed and Dr. Warren S. Wallace.
[edit] Education
The Deptford Township Schools serve over 4,200 students. There are seven elementary/early childhood schools for students in kindergarten through sixth grade: Central Early Childhood Center, Good Intent School, Lake Tract School, New Sharon School, Oak Valley School, Pine Acres Early Childhood Center and Shady Lane School. Monongahela Middle School serves Deptford Township students in grades seven and eight. Deptford Township High School, which (in the 2005-2006 school year) had an enrollment of 1,230 students, serves students in grades nine through 12.
[edit] Deptford Mall
The Deptford Mall, located in Deptford, is the seventh largest shopping mall in New Jersey and the largest in the South Jersey region of the state, with a Gross leasable area (GLA) of 1.3 million square feet.
The Deptford Mall is surrounded by two movie theaters (with a total of fourteen screens between them), eight strip malls, several nightclubs, bars, and numerous restaurants and individual stores.
[edit] Transportation
Deptford Township is criss-crossed by major transportation routes in and near the township, including Interstate 295, Route 41, Route 42, Route 47, Route 55, as well as County Route 534, County Route 544, County Route 551 and County Route 553.
[edit] Notable residents
- Isaac Hopper, abolitionist, founder of the Underground Railroad.
- Michael Johns, health care executive, former White House speechwriter, conservative policy analyst and writer.
- Bryant McKinnie, professional football player, Minnesota Vikings.
[edit] References
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 138.
- ^ Census data for Deptford township, United States Census Bureau, accessed March 1, 2007
- ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, accessed March 1, 2007
- ^ Deptford Township Mayor and Council, accessed March 12, 2007
- ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 56, accessed August 30, 2006
[edit] External links
- Deptford Township Official Web Site.
- Deptford Township Schools Official Web Site.
- Deptford Township Schools's 2005-06 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- National Center for Education Statistics data for the Deptford Township Schools.
- Deptford Mall Official Web Site.
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(County seat: Woodbury) |
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| Boroughs | Clayton | Glassboro | National Park | Newfield | Paulsboro | Pitman | Swedesboro | Wenonah | Westville | Woodbury Heights |  |
| City | Woodbury | |
| Townships | Deptford | East Greenwich | Elk | Franklin | Greenwich | Harrison | Logan | Mantua | Monroe | South Harrison | Washington | West Deptford | Woolwich | |
| CDPs and communities |
Beckett | Bridgeport | Clarksboro | Gibbstown | Malaga | Mickleton | Mount Royal | Mullica Hill | Oak Valley | Thorofare | Turnersville | Victory Lakes | Williamstown |
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